S19E5: "The Twa Corbies" Anonymous Scottish

June 30, 2025 · 13 min · Season 19 · Episode 5

About this episode

This episode explores the poem 'The Twa Corbies' within the context of death and its imaginative treatments in poetry.

In this 19th season of the Well Read Poem, the principal theme of the six poems selected is that of Death. We selected these poems to provide a variety of imaginative treatments of what Henry James called "The Distinguished Thing", drawing on the writings of poets of different centuries, cultures and perspectives. We hope they are enjoyable, illuminating, and not so dismal as to discolor anyone's summer. Today's selection is "The Twa Corbies" of anonymous Scottish origin. Readings begin at timestamps 4:25 and 8:45. To learn more about this podcast and host Thomas Banks, visit https://www.theliterary.life/the-well-read-poem/ . The Twa Corbies Anonymous, Scottish As I was walking all alane, I heard twa corbies making a mane; The tane unto the t'other say, 'Where sall we gang and dine the day?' 'In behind yon auld fail dyke, I wot there lies a new slain knight; And naebody kens that he lies there, But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair. 'His hound is to the hunting gane, His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame, His lady's ta'en another mate, So we may make our dinner sweet. 'Ye'll sit on his white hause-bane, And I'll pike out his bonny blue een; Wi ae lock o his gowden hair, We'll…

People in this episode

Host: Thomas Banks

Topics covered

Death
Scottish poetry
Imaginative treatments
Literary analysis
Poetic themes

Keywords

The Twa Corbies
Scottish poetry
death
Henry James
poetic themes
literary analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Twa Corbies

Places: Scotland